Grammar Schools in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands
Families searching for grammar schools in Wolverhampton have several selective state-school options across Wolverhampton, Walsall and nearby Birmingham. These include Wolverhampton Girls’ High School, Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Queen Mary’s High School and the King Edward VI grammar schools in Birmingham.
Most of these schools participate in the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership, which uses a shared 11+ entrance test. However, although children can sit the same assessment, each school has its own admissions policy, qualifying requirements and oversubscription criteria.
This guide explains which grammar schools are available in Wolverhampton and the surrounding West Midlands, how the entrance examination works, and what parents should consider when choosing schools for their child.
Page Contents
Are There Grammar Schools in Wolverhampton?
Yes. Wolverhampton has one state grammar school: Wolverhampton Girls’ High School. It is a selective school for girls aged 11–18 and admits pupils based on their performance in the entrance examination.
However, parents should be aware of an important distinction between Wolverhampton Girls’ High School and Wolverhampton Grammar School. Despite the similar names, they are different types of school.
- Wolverhampton Girls’ High School: A selective state grammar school for girls.
- Wolverhampton Grammar School: An independent, fee-paying school for boys and girls aged 4–18.
Families looking specifically for free state grammar education should focus on Wolverhampton Girls’ High School and other state grammar schools in neighbouring areas, including Walsall and Birmingham.
Grammar Schools in Wolverhampton and the Surrounding West Midlands
There are several selective schools within reach of Wolverhampton. The most relevant options include schools in Wolverhampton itself, Walsall and Birmingham.
1. Wolverhampton Girls’ High School
Location: Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 0BY
School type: Girls’ state grammar school
Age range: 11–18
Wolverhampton Girls’ High School is the main state grammar school within Wolverhampton. It offers selective secondary education for girls, with admission determined by performance in its entrance examination and the school’s published admissions arrangements.
The school has an admission number of 180 for Year 7. Applicants must achieve the required academic standard to be considered for a place, with additional priority categories affecting how offers are allocated.
For September 2026 entry, all 180 places were offered to girls who scored 208 or above in the entrance test. This is a historical offer score, not a guaranteed threshold for future years.
The school also operates a waiting list when places are unavailable. Applicants are ranked according to their test scores, subject to its admissions arrangements.
Parents can find further information on the Wolverhampton Girls’ High School Year 7 admissions page.
2. Queen Mary’s Grammar School
Location: Walsall, West Midlands
School type: Boys’ state grammar school
Age range: 11–18
Queen Mary’s Grammar School is a selective boys’ grammar school in Walsall, within reach of families living in Wolverhampton and the surrounding Black Country.
The school admits boys into Years 7–11 and has a mixed sixth form. For September 2027 entry, it has published 180 Year 7 places.
Admission is based on performance in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. Unlike some grammar schools, Queen Mary’s Grammar School does not have a defined catchment area, and families living outside Walsall can apply.
For September 2027 entry, the school’s approximate minimum qualifying score is 200, subject to confirmation by the governors. This is not the same as the score required to receive an offer. The lowest score offered a place in 2026 was 225 on national offer day.
Parents should check the school’s official Year 7 admissions information for the latest qualifying scores and allocation arrangements.
3. Queen Mary’s High School
Location: Walsall, West Midlands
School type: Girls’ state grammar school
Age range: 11–18
Queen Mary’s High School is the girls’ grammar school counterpart in Walsall. It provides selective education from Year 7 through to sixth form, with boys and girls able to apply for Year 12.
The school uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test as part of its Year 7 admissions process.
Queen Mary’s High School does not have a defined catchment area. Families living both within and outside Walsall can apply, provided their child meets the required academic standard and the school’s admissions criteria.
Its admissions arrangements are separate from those of Queen Mary’s Grammar School, so parents should check the relevant policy rather than assume the two schools allocate places in exactly the same way.
Visit the Queen Mary’s High School admissions page for further details.
4. King Edward VI Grammar Schools in Birmingham
Location: Various locations across Birmingham
School type: Selective state grammar schools
Age range: 11–18
Families willing to consider schools further towards Birmingham have several additional selective options through the King Edward VI Foundation.
The Foundation operates six grammar schools, while Birmingham has eight grammar schools in total. These schools use the same Birmingham entrance test, which is part of the wider West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership.
The six King Edward VI grammar schools are:
- King Edward VI Aston School.
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys.
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls.
- King Edward VI Five Ways School.
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys.
- King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls.
The other two Birmingham grammar schools are Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School for Boys and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls.
These schools have different admissions priorities, including school-specific arrangements relating to location, siblings and eligible Pupil Premium applicants. Families should review each school’s individual policy before applying.
The King Edward VI Foundation grammar schools page provides links to the schools and their admissions information.
5. Other West Midlands Grammar Schools
Beyond Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham, the wider partnership includes grammar schools in Shropshire and Warwickshire.
These may be relevant to families who are prepared to consider a wider geographical area.
| Area | Grammar schools |
|---|---|
| Shropshire | Haberdashers’ Adams; Newport Girls’ High School |
| Walsall | Queen Mary’s Grammar School; Queen Mary’s High School |
| Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton Girls’ High School |
| Warwickshire | Alcester Grammar School; Ashlawn School; King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon; Lawrence Sheriff School; Rugby High School; Stratford Girls’ Grammar School |
Ashlawn School is partially selective, offering both selective and non-selective places. It should not be confused with a fully selective grammar school.
The schools in this wider partnership use the shared entrance-test arrangements, but their admissions policies and qualifying standards are not identical.
What Is the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test?
The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is the shared 11+ assessment used by selective schools across Birmingham, Shropshire, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Warwickshire.
The test is provided by GL Assessment. Children sit two multiple-choice papers, with each paper lasting approximately 50–60 minutes, including instructions and example questions.
The assessment covers four main areas:
| Subject | What it assesses |
|---|---|
| English comprehension | Understanding written passages, vocabulary and language |
| Verbal reasoning | Recognising patterns and relationships between words |
| Mathematics | Numerical knowledge, calculations and problem-solving |
| Non-verbal and spatial reasoning | Understanding shapes, patterns and visual relationships |
The papers are divided into individually timed sections. Children record their answers on separate answer sheets rather than writing directly in the question booklets.
The test uses age-standardised scores to account for differences in children’s ages within the same school year.
How Are West Midlands 11+ Scores Calculated?
The partnership uses standardised scores to compare candidates fairly.
The published test weighting is:
- English and verbal reasoning: 50%
- Non-verbal reasoning: 25%
- Mathematics: 25%
Each school then applies its own qualifying requirements and admissions priorities.
This is an important distinction for parents: one shared test does not mean one shared pass mark. A qualifying score for a Birmingham grammar school may not be the same as the qualifying score for a school in Wolverhampton or Walsall.
For the detailed test format and familiarisation information, visit the West Midlands Grammar Schools entrance test page.
What Is the Pass Mark for West Midlands Grammar Schools?
There is no single pass mark that guarantees entry to every grammar school in the West Midlands. Each school or local group sets its own qualifying requirements and applies its admissions policy when allocating places.
For September 2027 entry, the Birmingham grammar schools have a qualifying score of 205. The King Edward VI Foundation also publishes a priority score of 224 for its grammar schools.
These figures apply to the relevant Birmingham schools and should not be treated as universal West Midlands thresholds.
Other schools use different arrangements. For example, Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall has published an approximate minimum qualifying score of 200 for September 2027 entry, subject to confirmation by its governors.
Wolverhampton Girls’ High School also has its own admissions arrangements and qualifying requirements.
Qualifying Score vs Offer Score
Parents should understand the difference between these two figures:
- Qualifying score: The minimum academic standard required for a child to be considered for admission.
- Offer score: The score of the lowest-ranked applicant who actually receives a place in a particular admissions round.
A child can achieve the qualifying score without receiving an offer. This can happen when there are more eligible applicants than available places.
Previous offer scores can help families understand how competitive a school has been, but they should never be treated as guaranteed future thresholds.
Grammar School Catchment Areas in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands
Catchment areas and priority arrangements vary between schools.
Some grammar schools give priority to children living within specified postcodes or geographical areas. Others have no defined catchment area but still use distance, sibling or other criteria when allocating places.
For example:
- Wolverhampton Girls’ High School: Applicants can apply from within and beyond Wolverhampton, subject to its selective admissions criteria.
- Queen Mary’s Grammar School: The school has no defined catchment area.
- Queen Mary’s High School: The school has no defined catchment area.
- King Edward VI Foundation schools: Individual schools have their own admissions arrangements, which can include priority areas and other oversubscription criteria.
Living close to a grammar school does not automatically guarantee a place. Children must meet the required academic standard, and the school must have a place available under its admissions policy.
Parents should check the exact arrangements for their preferred schools rather than relying on general postcode advice.
How to Apply for a West Midlands Grammar School
The application process involves registering for the entrance test and submitting a separate secondary school application.
For September 2027 entry, the main West Midlands Grammar Schools registration deadline was 4pm on 26 June 2026. The entrance test took place on 12 September 2026.
The results were due to be released by 16 October 2026, ahead of the national secondary school application deadline on 31 October 2026.
These dates have now passed. Families planning for September 2028 entry should check the official partnership website for the next confirmed registration and examination dates.
The usual application process is:
- Check the schools: Research the grammar schools you are considering and review their admissions policies.
- Register for the entrance test: Complete the registration process within the published deadline.
- Sit the 11+ examination: Your child will be allocated a test centre based on the partnership’s arrangements.
- Receive the results: Review the score and the qualifying requirements for each school.
- Submit the Common Application Form: Apply through your home local authority and list your preferred schools in genuine preference order.
- Receive an offer: Local authorities issue secondary school offers on National Offer Day.
Registering for the entrance test is not the same as applying for a school place. Parents must also name their preferred grammar schools on the Common Application Form submitted to their home local authority.
How to Prepare for the West Midlands 11+
The West Midlands entrance examination assesses several different skills, so children should prepare across all four areas rather than focusing exclusively on English and mathematics.
A structured revision plan can help children become familiar with the question formats and improve their confidence under timed conditions.
Practise English Comprehension
English comprehension tests a child’s ability to understand written information, interpret passages and recognise vocabulary in context.
Preparation should include:
- Reading fiction and non-fiction regularly.
- Practising comprehension questions.
- Developing vocabulary and understanding word meanings.
- Identifying key information in longer passages.
- Working through questions under timed conditions.
Parents can explore our 11+ English past papers and practice resources for additional preparation.
Develop Verbal Reasoning Skills
Verbal reasoning questions assess how children recognise relationships between words, letters and information.
Useful practice areas include:
- Word relationships and analogies.
- Letter sequences.
- Codes and substitutions.
- Word patterns.
- Identifying similarities and differences.
Children should practise different question types so they can recognise the methods needed to solve unfamiliar problems.
Strengthen Mathematics
Mathematics preparation should cover core number skills and multi-step problem-solving.
Important topics include:
- Fractions, decimals and percentages.
- Multiplication and division.
- Ratio and proportion.
- Number sequences.
- Geometry and measurement.
- Mental arithmetic.
- Word problems.
Regular practice helps children develop accuracy and become more confident when working under time pressure.
Improve Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning
Non-verbal and spatial reasoning questions involve recognising visual patterns, shapes and relationships.
Children should practise:
- Shape sequences.
- Rotations and reflections.
- Identifying missing shapes.
- Visual analogies.
- Pattern recognition.
- Spatial relationships.
These question types may be less familiar to children than traditional school subjects, so regular exposure to different examples is useful.
Think Academy’s 11+ practice questions can help families identify areas that need more attention. Parents can also explore the Think Academy resource hub for additional learning materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Grammar Schools in Wolverhampton?
Yes. Wolverhampton Girls’ High School is a selective state grammar school for girls aged 11–18. Families can also consider grammar schools in neighbouring Walsall and Birmingham.
Is Wolverhampton Grammar School a State Grammar School?
No. Wolverhampton Grammar School is an independent, fee-paying school for boys and girls aged 4–18. It is separate from Wolverhampton Girls’ High School, which is a state grammar school.
What Is the Nearest Boys’ Grammar School to Wolverhampton?
Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall is one of the nearby state grammar school options for boys. Families may also consider the boys’ grammar schools in Birmingham, depending on location and admissions eligibility.
Which Grammar Schools Are in Birmingham?
Birmingham has eight state grammar schools: Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, King Edward VI Aston, Camp Hill School for Boys, Camp Hill School for Girls, Five Ways, Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, Handsworth School for Girls and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls.
Do All West Midlands Grammar Schools Use the Same 11+ Test?
The schools within the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership use a shared entrance test provided by GL Assessment. However, each school has its own qualifying requirements and admissions criteria.
What Is the West Midlands Grammar Schools Pass Mark?
There is no universal pass mark. For September 2027 entry, Birmingham grammar schools have a qualifying score of 205, while Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall has published an approximate qualifying score of 200, subject to confirmation. Other schools use their own requirements.
Can Children Outside Wolverhampton Apply to Wolverhampton Girls’ High School?
Yes. The school accepts applications from families living within and beyond Wolverhampton, provided applicants meet its entrance requirements and admissions criteria.
When Should Children Start Preparing for the 11+?
Many families begin structured preparation during Year 4 or Year 5, allowing time to build subject knowledge and become familiar with the examination format. The right starting point depends on the child’s current ability and learning needs.
Final Thoughts
Families searching for grammar schools in Wolverhampton have several selective state-school options across the wider West Midlands. Wolverhampton Girls’ High School is the city’s state grammar school, while Queen Mary’s Grammar School and Queen Mary’s High School provide additional options in Walsall.
For families prepared to consider Birmingham, the King Edward VI Foundation schools and other local grammar schools offer further choices.
The shared West Midlands entrance test makes it possible to be considered by multiple participating schools through one examination. However, qualifying scores, catchment arrangements and oversubscription criteria vary, so parents should research each school’s admissions policy carefully.
Understanding the differences between the schools, preparing across all four test areas and meeting the application deadlines can help families make informed decisions about the 11+ process.
